Until the stress of my profession got hold of me I was a licensed professional geologist and civil engineer in Tennessee. My career had taken me into partial ownership of a large environmental engineering practice. About 1998 I had to leave this profession for health (stress) reasons. After a brief stint as owner of Chattanooga Walking Tours I entered massage school and as they say "the rest is history".
I am currently a licensed massage therapist in the state of Tennessee (MT 1751). I was formally trained at the Tennessee Institute of Healing Arts in Chattanooga, TN in their 1000 clock hour program. Through their program I became certified in Neuromuscular Therapy. The National Certification Exam was taken and passed in 1999. Since graduation I have become a Reiki Master Teacher and certified in Integrative Reflexology. Since 2000 I have taught at the Tennessee Institute of Healing Arts, Miller-Motte Technical College and the Tennessee Technology Center Division (now Tennessee College of Applied Technology) of Chattanooga State Community College. At both Miller-Motte and Chattanooga State I served as program director, instructor, and coordinator for curriculum development. Since 2000 I have been offering continuing education workshops on numerous topics including: business, Shiatsu, ethics, massage law, medical massage, hot stone massage, seated massage, energy bodywork, Reiki, reflexology and many other topics.
In addition to my basic training I have also received advanced training in: craniosacral therapy, advanced NMT, myofascial unwinding, medical spa training, cadaver lab work, Thai massage, table Thai massage, Trager work, whiplash therapy, reflexology, shiatsu, Ortho-bionomy®, Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage, stretching, Lomi lomi, and breathwork.
My initial training was mostly in deep tissue NMT work but has since expanded to include energy work. With experience I have found that often "less is more and more is less" when it comes to bodywork. Therapy should follow what the body tells you and one should incorporate the technique appropriate for the condition and client.
I am a current member of Associated Bodyworkers and Massage Professionals and carry professional liability insurance. I am currently an approved provider for continuing education through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Approved Provider # 1000232. Exp. Oct. 17, 2022. My course "Tennessee Massage Law" (TN011521-9) is approved by the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board until December 31, 2022.
